Flyer mechanism for toroidal coil winding machines



March 4, 1952 R. H- MCCARTHY FLYER MECHANISM FOR. TOROIDAL COIL WINDING MACHINES 2 SHEETSSHEET- 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1949 FIG.

FIG. 4

lNl/ENTOR RHMcCARTHY ATTORNEY R. H. M CARTHY March 4, 1952 FLYER MECHANISM FOR TOROIDAL COIL WINDING MACHINES 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1949 Fla. 7 a) 3 lNVENmP RHMCCARTHY "W ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1952 FLYER MECHANISM FOR TOROIDAL COIL WINDING MACHINES Rollin H. McCarthy, Madison, N, J., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 16, 1949, Serial No. 116,114

13 Claims.

pressure.

In these machines, as shown for example in Patents 2,430,105 and 2,480,106 t R. M. Conklin,

a flyer; slidably mounted on one lateral face of a positively driven annular shuttle, has driving fins projecting into the paths of air jets directed angularly to the side of the shuttle. Since the flyer necessarily extends over only a minor fraction of the shuttle circumference, only a few of the air jets can be eifective in driving the flyer at any one time.

The object of this invention is an improved machine of this general type in which the flyer is driven at the required speed with maximum economy of the driving fluid.

In accordance with the object of the invention, the flyer slides on a track which may be on the shuttle or fixed to the machine in operative relation to the shuttle, but in either case, the fins or pockets are on the outer face of the flyer and the driving jet orifices are disposed around the outer periphery of the shuttle'and in the plane of the track. In a machine of this design with suitably shaped pockets on the flyer, the lateral thrust of the flyer on the track is eliminated. Furthermore, the frictional drag on the iiyer, due to centrifugal force, is reduced to very low value by shaping the leading edge of the flyer to direct air between the flyer and the track to produce a cushionin efiect therebetween. Also, the jets are directed to the pockets through confining passages to minimize leakage and improve the effect of the operation of the flyer.

In one species of the invention. the flyer has a series of equally spaced pockets with central portions positioned in alignment with each other to divide the jets of air in a plane extending centrally through the shuttle and causing the divided jets to be directed through U-shaped paths upon each side of the flyer and shuttle to maintain maximum efficiency of the air forces and to balance the lateral forces on the flyer. A similar structure is provided in another species of the invention, this species having covers for the pockets, and individual guiding elements forming troughs for the jets of air leading directly to the central portions of the pockets. Furthermore. in one species of the invention the flyer is supported by a stationary supportingelement, while the fiyer in the other species is mounted to travel ,on the shuttle.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent core.

2 from the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein p Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of one species of the invention; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalview taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the shuttle showin the contours of the pockets of this species of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the flyer and its track; I

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational viewof another species of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a fragmentary portion of the shuttle and the flyer mounted thereon; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the flyer shown in this species of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is first directed to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. The species of the invention shown in these figures includes the conventional clamp ID for a toroidal core II, the clamp supporting the core for rocking movement about the centerline of the core to cause equal distribution of convolutions of wire I2 on the A shuttle l4 having a conventional type of removable insert portion I5 is supported on rollers l6 and driven by a gear-l1 which interengages teeth l8 on the inner periphery of the shuttle. The supply of wire I2 is wound on the shuttle in the conventional manner. A flyer indicated generally at 20 is arcuate in general contour and mounted for movement in a circuitous path about the shuttle on a support 2 I. The main body 22 of the flyer has inwardly bent side Dortions 23 to extend around the sides of a dovetail track 24 of the support 2| extending around the shuttle and disposed in close proximity as illustrated in Fig. 2. A removable insert-25 is provided for the track 24 and enables the operator to mount the core H in the clamp Ill. The leading edges 26 (Figs. 1 and 4) of the flyer are bent outwardly to cause air to pass between the inner surfaces of the flyer and the outer surfaces of the track to cushion the flyer and minimize friction between these relatively moving parts.

The flyer is provided with a series of pockets 28 of the contour shown in Figs. 2 and 3 mounted at equally spaced positions throughout the length of the flyer. These pockets are identical in structure, having central portions 29 beginning with sharp edges 30 to divide jets of air, directed toward the outer periphery of the shuttle and the flyer through apertures 3! in a control unit 32.

The portions of the pockets extending arcuately from the central portions 29 will be effective in directing their divided jets of air in equal quantities in U-shaped paths to utilize the maximum efliciency of the jets of air and balance lateral thrust on the fiyer.

The control unit 32 extends substantially around'the shuttle, with the exception of the opening 34 adjacent the core H, and has an inlet portion 35 connected to a supply of fluid or air under pressure (not shown). The passageways3l shown in Figs. 1 and 2 extend in like directions relative to the flyer and the periphery of the shuttle whereby the jets of -air'guided by the passageways will impinge upon the pockets ,of :the fiyer to apply forces to the fiyer in the direction of its movement, the jetsjotair being divided in a plane extending centrally through the shuttle to balance the flyer. Furthermore, the-areas of the shuttle not covered by the fiyer will be assistedin their :rotationby :the jets of :air which will tend to urge the shuttle in its direction :of rotation and will therefore, -not 0pposethe drivring means. The flyer w20 'in this species of the invention has a guideBB for the-wire |-2= as {it leavesthe shuttle-and "is directed '-to the core.

By viewing Fig. 2 of the drawing, it-will be noted that the arcuate inner surface or periphery ll of-the unit 32 conforms to the arcuate upper surfaces 38 of the pockets '28. Although the surfa'ces 31 and 38-=areshown spaced apart, in actual structure there will be a qn'inimum amount of space b'etween these'surfaces whereby the-'full effect of the jets of 'a'ir-againstthe pockets-may be utilized.

'Thespeeies of the invention-shown in Figs. 4,5 and 6 includes a structure very similar in detail "to the speciesshown in Figs. 1,'2 and '3. In this species of the invention, the conventional clamp '40 for the toroidal core 4 I is mounted -for rock- I ing -movement about the center of the core "to control the'win'ding of convolutions of wire 42 thereon. The shuttle= 43"with its removable'in- "sert =14 '"is supported for rotation *byrollers '46 and a=gear:41, the gear*interengaging teeth 48 mounted on the *inner periphery of I the shuttle and theinser-t '44 to;drive the shuttle at arcon- :stant speed. In :this species of-the invention, the shuttle 43 with its: insert 44 has rounde'douter surfaces SO-and annular-inner surfaces 5| "for en- 7 =53 are-bent inwardly in like arcs-to cause airato pass'between the inner surfaces of the'flanges 1 and the adjacentsurfaces of the shuttle to cushion the fiyer and minimizexfriction between these relatively-movin parts due to centrifugal force "on-the fiyer.

The flyer provided with'a plurality of pockets indicated 'generally at'5'l disposed at spaced positions on-' the outer periphery .of the flyer. The pockets 51=are'similarin'contour to the pockets '28 in that they have central portions 50 to divide -the jets-ofia-ir intosubstantiallyzequal parts con- =trolled bythe-arcuate portions 6 I. Covers'62 are provided-"for'the pockets 57 to" limit escapement ci -the jets of-air only in the paths. acontrolle'diby rotation of-the shuttles. ingof power-or air underpressure, there. is a fine maybe divided.

A control unit6l for a fluid, such as air, under pressure connected at 68 to a supply (not shown),

has passageways 69 in its inner wall to direct .J'ets .ofHair toward the shuttle in the direction of rotationof the shuttle and mainly in the path of the fiyer, the passageways leading directly into the control troughs 63 and toward the pockets 51. Inthis-species of the invention, the inner surface 'lfl ofthe unit 6'!- is-not arcuate as shown in Fig. 2,

-butcis positionedzclosely adjacent the path of the covers 62 of the pockets 5'! and the upper edges -of the vertical walls 64 to utilize the full efiect of the jets of air directed toward the pockets.

With these .:;structures, it 1 is apparent :that a minimum :amount of :.air under; pressure :may :be

. utilized :in causing'thezjflyersto'jtravelj in circular paths about their shuttles under the control:of the wires; maintaining :the" wire under :a desired tension and uniformly forming convolutions of the wires on the cores. The application of ';the

jets of air towardthe shuttles in the directions oftheir rotationpto' impinge upon-the shuttles'at theirouterperiphery and to be effective" in impinging upon the pockets, through dcontrolled paths in -one instance'furnishedby the troughs 63, causes efficient driving of the-flyers under forces which will assist, rather than 'opposezthe Inaddition to the savreduction in turbulence, by confining-the air streams, and a. comparable reduction in noise 'whichare'important'iactors in machines of this type.

It is -':to be understood-that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of "the principlesof the invention. Nu- -merous "other arrangements maybe readily devised :by those skillediin "the art whichwill em- ,body :t-heprinciples ot the invention and fall withimthe ,spirit and scope thereof.

What {is :claimed is:

1. A flyer mechanism-in a toroidal coilwinding'machine wherein an-annular shuttle for a supplyof wire is-driven about its axis through ian-annular core on whichthe wire is to be wound, the 'flyer: mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported formovement in a circular path about-the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, apocket mounted on the outermost surface of the element beyond the periphery of -the-shuttle,-and an impelling means an annular core on which the wire'is to be wound, the fiyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for-movement in a.

circular path aboutthe periphery of the-shuttle and having a portion :toguide the-wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, means to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery'of the shuttle and the "outermost surface of the element, and a pocket mounted on .theoutermost surface of the: elementand having a central edge dividing the jets of air into substantially equal parts to balance the lateral thrusts of the element on the shuttle and to cause travel of the element about the shuttle:

3. A flyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the flyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, means to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, and a pocket mounted on the outermost surface of the element with arcuate side portions joined by a central edge to divide the jets of air into substantially equal parts and direct them in substantially U-shaped paths to balance the lateral thrust on the element and utilize the maximum forces of the jets to drive the element about the shuttle.

4. A flyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the fiyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, means to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, and

a plurality of pockets mounted on the outermost 1 surface of the element at equally spaced positions, each pocket having arcuate cavities disposed in lateral alignment with each other and joined by a central portion to divide the jets of air into substantially equal parts and direct them in U-shaped paths through their respective cavities to balance the lateral thrust on the element and cause travel of the element about the shuttle.

5. A flyer mechanism in a toroidal coil windj ing machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the fiyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a, circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a hollow unit substantially surroundin the shuttle, supplied with air under pressure and having spaced outlets in an inner wall thereof to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, and a pocket mounted on the outermost surface of the element and having a central edge dividing the jets of air into substantially equal parts to balance the lateral thrusts of the element on the shuttle and to cause travel of the element about the shuttle.

6. A fiyer mechanism in a toroidal-coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the flyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a hollow unit substantially surrounding the shuttle, supplied with air under pressure, having an inner surface which is arcuate in cross-section and outlets through the inner surface to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, and a plurality of pockets mounted on the outermost surface of the element at equally spaced positions substantially intersecting the space between the element and the arcuate surface of the unit, each pocket having arcuate cavities disposed in lateral alignment with each other and joined by a central dividing portion to divide the jets of air into substantially equal parts and direct them into their'respective cavities to balance the driving on the element and cause uniform travel of the element about the shuttle.

-7. A fiyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be Wound, the fiyer, mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a pocket mounted on the outermost surface of the element beyond the pe= riphery of the shuttle, an impelling means to direct a fluid under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle to contact the pocket and cause the element to move about the shuttle, and a trough mounted on the outermost surface of the element to direct the fluid under pressure in a restricted path toward the pocket.

8. A flyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the flyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, means to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, and a plurality of pockets mounted on the outermost surface of the element at equally spaced positions, each pocket having arcuate cavities disposed in lateral alignment with each other and joined by a central portion to divide the jets of air into substantially equal parts and direct them in U-shaped paths through their respective cavities to balance the lateral thrust on the element and cause travel of the element about the shuttle, and troughs mounted on the outermost surface of the element in advance of their respective pockets to direct the jets of air in restricted paths toward the central dividing portions..

9. A fiyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through an annular core on which the wire is to be wound, the flyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, means to direct jets of air under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle and the outermost surface of the element, a pocket mounted on the outermost surface of the element and having a central edge dividing the lets of air into substantially equal parts to balance the lateral thrusts of the element on the shuttle and to cause travel of the element about the shuttle, and a cover for the pocket disposed substantially parallel with the axis of the shuttle.

.10. A fflyermechanism in-e toroidal coil winding machine :wherein an annular shuttle for a supply -;0f wire is driven about its axis through an annular-core on which-the wireisto be Wound, the flyer mechanism comprising an arcuate element supported for movement in a circular vpath about the periphery .of the shuttle and having a portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a 'pocket mounted on outermost surface of the element beyond the periphery of the shuttle, a stationary track tomovably support the element, and an impelling means to direct a fluid under pressure toward the periphery of theshuttleto contact the pocket and cause the element to move about the shuttle.

.11. A flyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding :machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire .-is driven about its axis through anzannulancore on which the wire istolbe wound, the flyer-mechanism comprising anarcuate elementsupported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a "portion to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a pocket mounted on the outermost-surface of the element beyond the periphery of the shuttle, a stationary track to movably support the element, an impelling means to direct .a fluid under pressure toward the periphery oi' the shuttle to contact the pocket and cause'the element to move about the shuttle, and a vleading member on the element to cause air to pass between the element and the track to cushion .the element and thus minimize friction'resulting from centrifugal force on the element.

12. :A flyer mechanism in a-toroidal coil winding machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of -wire is driven about its axis through .anannularcoreon which the wire is'to be wound,

the .fiyer mechanism vcomprising an arcuate-element substantially surrounding the vshuttleQand mounted for movement thereon with a portion carried by the element to guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a pocket mounted on the outermost surface of .the element beyond .the periphery of the shuttle, and an impelling meansto direct a fluid under pressure toward the periphery of the shuttle to contact the pocket and cause :the element to/move about the shutle.

13. A ,fiyer mechanism in a toroidal coil winding "machine wherein an annular shuttle for a supply of wire is driven about its axis through anannularscore on whichthe wire is to be wound, the viiyer mechanism comprising an arcuate elementsupported for movement in a circular path about the periphery of the shuttle and having a portion to :guide the wire from the shuttle around portions of the core, a pocket mountedon the-outermost surface-of the element beyond the periphery of the shuttle, an vimpelling means to direct a fluid under pressure toward the peripheryzof the shuttle tocontactthe pocket and cause the element to move about the shuttle, and a leading member vof the element to cause air to pass between the element and its support to cushion the element and thus minimize friction between the element and its support.

ROLLIN H. MCCARTHY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are -of record in the :file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,430,105 Conklin Nov.-4, 1947 2,430,106 Conklin Nov. 4, 1947 

